Lots going on!

My observation was great! KSS in Qualicum has a very strong music program with several music courses/groups going on throughout the year, concert bands, jazz bands, choir, vocal jazz, guitar classes, regular band classes and several jazz combos or other chamber groups. With so much going on it made for long days (7:20-4:30 almost ever day, usually with about 15 mins for lunch), and not much time to check out other classes. There were two teachers and two band rooms which were both in use most of the day. My very first day was also the same day that the two teachers learned that they would be taking over one of the local middle school's music program two afternoons a week. It was really awesome to watch their first day with the students and see the difference that they were able to make with the students in such a short time. The first few classes were spent establishing new routines, correcting some bad habits and setting high expectations for the students to rise to. The students were playing so much better already by the second week. It was very informative to see what went into taking over a new program. We totally reorganised the equipment room, went through the music library, and rearranged the band room, the next step is to take inventory of all of the school instruments and find out which instruments need repairs, organise a trip for the concert band and get a jazz band started. There is a lot of work ahead but I am excited to see how far they will have come when I come back in the Spring!